Photo: Jamie Kelter Davis

Alt-country stalwarts, who hinge on the indie wire while spitting evocative lyrics that make the mundane meaningful, Wilco, have unveiled the official artist lineup for their biennial gathering at MASS MoCA in North Adams, Mass., Solid Sound Festival. Today’s announcement trails the news that the group would revive its 1998 release with Billy Bragg, Mermaid Avenue, on Friday, June 26. The Woody Guthrie-inspired performance has been titled “Way Over Yonder in The Minor Key,” after a track from volume one that features vocalist Natalie Merchant. 

Leading the guest lineup for the Solid Sound Festival are The Breeders, Gang of Four, Billy Bragg, S.G. Goodman, L’Rain, Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band, Sharp Pins, The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis, Hannah Cohen, as well as others. As is tradition for the occasion, members of Wilco will present their independent projects and solo endeavors, including Nels Cline’s Consentrik Quartet, Mikael Jorgensen on Bob James, a short film screening and Q&A, and more. 

Beyond music, the event also offers a comedic angle with John Hodgman’s Comedy Cabaret, featuring Jo Firestone, Demi Adejuyigbe, and Jordan Klepper represented on the roster. In line with the venue’s intent, Solid Sound further embraces the arts, hosting poster silk-screening demonstrations and exhibitions by Jeffrey Gibson, Jimena Sarno, and Zora J. Murff, featuring works by Laurie Anderson, Louise Bourgeois, James Turrell, and Sol LeWitt. 

Notably, Friday’s Way Over Yonder in The Minor Key performance represents a long-awaited reveal for fans. Despite the fan-loved status of Mermaid Avenue and its follow-up volume, Mermaid Avenue Vol. II, Wilco, and Bragg were never supported on stage, meaning June’s performance represents the only opportunity to see these songs played by the couriers of Guthrie’s legacy. Nearly 30 years after the first set’s arrival, the songs still hold significance for fans, serving as idealized folk rock compositions with the magnetism of lines scribed by Bob Dylan’s idol. 

Tickets and weekend passes are on sale now. For more information, visit solidsoundfestival.com. 

Scroll down to view the complete lineup.

Wilco 

Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key: Wilco and Billy Bragg perform the songs of Mermaid Avenue 

The Breeders

Gang of Four

Jeff Tweedy & Friends

Billy Bragg

Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band

John Hodgman’s Comedy Cabaret

Rich(ard) Dawson

S.G. Goodman

L’Rain

Mini-Mekons featuring Sally Timms & Jon Langford

Sharp Pins

Elizabeth Moen

Nels Cline’s Consentrik Quartet

The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis

George

Souled American

Autumn Defense

Living Hour

Setting

Yuka Honda: Respira 

Prewn

Official Claire

Hannah Cohen

Expandards

Sam & Louise Sullivan

Story Pirates

dysFUNKcrew

Peter Cardosa / Ghost-Town

Mikael Jorgensen on Bob James, a short film screening and Q&A